Lando Norris has cemented his place as one of Formula 1’s brightest stars following an exceptional 2024 season. After clinching his maiden victory at the Miami Grand Prix, the 25-year-old emerged as Max Verstappen’s fiercest rival, finishing the season 63 points shy of the championship.

The latest to sing Norris’ praises is his race engineer, Will Joseph, who has witnessed the Briton’s transformation since his Miami breakthrough. Speaking on the Fast and the Curious podcast, Joseph revealed how Norris has grown into a leader at McLaren.

“He’s grown up massively, and we’ve grown up together. Our bond is based on trust,” Joseph said. He recounted Norris’ early days with McLaren in 2017, when senior team members guided him through the intricacies of Formula 1. Today, Norris has stepped into a leadership role, driving the team to deliver their best.

“He’s now in a position where he’s pushing us, demanding more from us, which is exactly what we wanted. That’s leadership,” Joseph added. While he clarified that their relationship is strictly professional, he emphasized the importance of their dynamic in achieving success on the track.

This partnership proved vital in 2024, as Norris led McLaren to secure the Constructors’ Championship with a dominant performance in the Abu Dhabi finale. However, the Briton has his sights set higher—claiming the elusive Drivers’ title.

Norris himself has declared 2025 as his year, expressing confidence after a season of battling Verstappen. Experts like Nico Rosberg and Danica Patrick also predict Norris will be the one to beat. However, Rosberg highlighted that Norris must eliminate costly errors, such as his near-crashes in Singapore, to mount a serious championship challenge.

With McLaren expected to deliver a competitive car next season, Norris has the tools to claim his first Drivers’ Championship—if he can perfect his craft and maintain consistency.

The countdown to 2025 has begun, and all eyes will be on Norris to see if he can finally fulfill his championship dreams.